Aberdeen add to rumours over McInnes quitting

Aberdeen reacted to speculation over the future of Derek McInnes by issuing a statement denying that he was set to quit the club.

Social media has turned football into a running soap opera which churns out stories with little substance on a daily basis.

Yesterday with barely a snippet of news coming out of Pittodrie since the 5-1 defeat at home to St Johnstone a couple of whispers on twitter set the ball rolling.

It takes next to nothing to send the bookies running for cover with Ladbrokes slashing the odds on McInnes following Jackie McNamara and Ian Baraclough on the managerial scrapheap.

With Ladbrokes sponsoring the SPFL the story gained extra credibility generating attention for the company. Result.

Bizarrely, rather than let the story come to a natural and quick end Aberdeen decided to make a club statement denying the ‘story’.

Just after 4pm the club announced: “The club can confirm Derek McInnes remains the manager of Aberdeen Football Club.

“The various rumours which have been circulating this afternoon on social media are completely without substance or foundation and we would question the motivation of those individuals looking to unsettle the club.

“Derek is fully focussed on preparing the squad for our important match against Ross County on Friday evening. The club will not be commenting further on this matter.”

Adding top spin to the yarn McInnes’ ‘departure’ was linked with Gordon Strachan stepping down as Scotland manager opening the door for the current Dons manager to take charge of Scotland.

With absolutely no basis in fact I should throw in that Strachan, despite never having worked as a city trader, is being lined up to take over at Pittodrie after McInnes steps down. Strachan was spotted in Aberdeen on Tuesday using the u-21 international with Iceland as a cover to open talks with the Dons and cast his eye over the catering facilities and seagull issue at Pittodrie.

Reacting to a rumour that would quickly have ran out of oxygen as the next ‘story’ emerges sets a dangerous precedent for Aberdeen.

Any future rumour that isn’t followed by a club statement will be given extra credibility with the pressure increased on McInnes for tomorrow’s match at Ross County as he attempts to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat.